The Bridge-Media Language Flashcards
Binary oppositions
Used as a narrative device to create contrast & tension
-Good vs Evil
-Police vs Criminal
-Saga vs Hanne
The Bridge subverts expectations
Saga’s character disrupts traditional interview dynamics
Her lack of social awareness adds complexity
Flexi-Narrative structure
Central crime plot + character-driven subplots
7 narrative arcs in the first episode
Themes of truth vs deception, identity & relationships
Builds mystery & audience engagement
Setting & Locations
Genre-typical settings:
-Police station
-Urban crime scenes
Nordic Noir elements
-Dark, melancholic tone
-Chiaroscuro lighting & shadows
-Slow-burn storytelling
-Themes of corruption, duality, obsession & isolation
Visual codes-Clothing
Saga’s repetitive outfit adds to her enigmatic character
Other detectives dress more casually & functionally
Visual codes-Gesture & Expression
Close-ups convey seriousness, fear & anxiety
Saga’s passive expression rarely changes
Her emotional shift is only seen after a traumatic event
Visual codes-Setting
Cold weather & darkness reinforce themes of isolation
Technical codes
Establishing shots indicate location shifts between Sweden & Denmark
Position characters in a realistic cityscape
Nordic Noir framing techniques
Characters often shot through windows or barriers
Creates a sense of isolation & secrecy
Audio codes-Music
Haunting theme song sets the show’s slow, eerie tone
Tense opening music mirrors horror genre tropes
Audio codes-Dialogue
Saga’s speech patterns reinforce her unique character
Blunt, literal responses provide moments of dry humor
